Yelagiri, undefined lie within the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, is a lovely and quiet hill station providing a refreshing break from the heavy traffic of the city. This small, charming destination is known for its interrelation with nature, fresh climate, and a soothing atmosphere that is perfect for those who want to rest or to have fun at the same time. The altitude of the place is around 1,110 meters above sea level. Unlike the rest of the South Indian hill stations, which have been commercialised more, Yelagiri still stands with its untouched natural beauty, featuring river valleys, orchards, rose gardens, and amazing views of the surrounding hills. Yelagiri basically offers you the opportunity of Punganoor Lake, created water body but still very scenic, where visitors can take a boat ride or just lie and look at the lake.The area is also popular with hikers since the various hikes in the region, such as the one to Swamimalai Hill, are the highest parts in Yelagiri, thus offering the guests a very nice view of the region. Mountain-loving people can have fun doing paragliding, rock climbing, and zip-lining, thus turning the destination into a welcome place for outdoor activities. The Jalagamparai Waterfalls, which the Attaru River has carved out, are yet another beautiful place that visitors will not miss coming to, especially just after the monsoon. Temples and local tribal settlements dotting the landscape are amongst the attractions in Yelagiri, besides nature. Families, people travelling alone, and nature lovers will definitely enjoy their visit to Yelagiri with its very cultures, plus the stillness, the thrill, and the natural world, which is the perfect place to vanish to.History of YelagiriYelagiri has been the Adobe of the tribe, close to nature, whether through the mountains or the forests, and a peaceful place nurtured by the British. Yelagiri consisted of a tribe known as Malayalis, a hut-dwelling community believed to have migrated from the valley a few hundred years back, long before it turned into a hill station. The native people lived together with nature, the trio of agriculture, animal farming, and herbal medicine being their practice. Their livelihoods depended on forests and hills; most of the traditions, festivals, and rituals still continue their practice, and thus visitors find themselves in a world quite different from the modern one. With its delightful weather and scenic beauties, Yelagiri stepped slowly but surely into the spotlight as a retreat place during the British colonial era. Yelagiri, in general, opted not to become as big as Ooty and Kodaikanal, but it always remained a little gem, mostly visited by missionaries and British officers. The construction of roads that made it easier to get to the hill region is one of the significant events during that period. The missionaries of the Christian faith also brought their contributions to the building of schools and churches in the area; some of them can still be seen, as they have been there for a long time and still stand strong to this day. It was the Tamil Nadu government that recognised Yelagiri as a tourist place worth advertising in the time after India got its freedom. The first step towards raising the standard of living was creating Punganoor Lake as an attraction and developing facilities for people who want to have an adventurous trip. The fact of people from Bengaluru and Chennai being able to come without any problem, coupled with Yelagiri's peaceful environment, helped the place to be known more and more. The Summer Festival of Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, a department that runs and maintains cultural resources and creates tourist attractions, is adjudged the best of the world among the international festivals has begun holding its annual event in the zone and is drawing in a large number of tourists of late.Nearby Places to Visit Around YelagiriJalagamparai Waterfalls: One of the most popular places to visit around Yelagiri, the Jalagamparai Waterfalls, is located at a distance of 14 kilometres. The Attaru River has created the waterfall which along with its breathtaking views of the Yelagiri Hills is quite a delightful sight to behold, particularly just after the monsoon season. It is surrounded by dense thriving trees and people can enjoy taking pictures or having their lunch under the trees. Moreover, the Murugan Temple, which is built in Dravidian style, is located near the falls, and it is an added attraction apart from the divine ambience it contributes to the surroundings.Swamimalai Hill: Swamimalai Hill is the highest peak in the Yelagiri range. It is equipped with not a little but an 11 km trekking trail and is the main slack for the visitors who make it their objective to conquer the highest peak with a tough and demanding trek. It can be quite challenging especially when the ascent is done on the part where the trees are so thick, bulbs will be very useful, and don't forget to carry water with you to keep you hydrated during the trek. Wear a good pair of shoes that are made for trekking purposes only, and surely you will enjoy the walk too.Velavan Temple: Velavan Temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, stands on a hill in Yelagiri. Apart from its spiritual significance, the temple is famous for the incredible views it gives of the Yelagiri valley. Part of the temple is the large Ghatothkacha, a mythical character, statue, which is different from other temples, and therefore it attracts visitors for its uniqueness.Nature Park: Just a stone’s throw away from Punganoor Lake, Nature Park is a visually appealing garden that sprawls 12 acres. The park consists of a beautiful marine aquarium, an artificial waterfall, musical fountains, and well-maintained walking paths. The park is highly recommended especially for families with kids who want to have a good time as it successfully combines entertainment and nature beauty.Fundera Park: One of the latest places to go in Yelagiri, Fundera Park is a community petting zoo that provides visitors with the opportunity to closely view and interact with animals and birds of all kinds, including rare and exotic species. It has become the favourite place of family visitors and children because of, it is possible to be in close contact with birds such as macaws, ostriches, and parrots.Government Herbal Farm: The Government Herbal Farm is the Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s herbal medicinal plants and herbs farm. Visitors can not only enjoy the aesthetic value but also learn the traditional uses of herbs in medicine through guided tours.Nilavoor Lake: The pretty little lake close to Nilavoor village, which is less crowded than Punganoor Lake, is known as Nilavoor Lake. People can enjoy boating and it is surrounded by green area so it is a good place to stop and have a rest.Best Time to Visit YelagiriSummer (March to June): Summer in Yelagiri is not as hot as in the plains, with temperatures varying between 25°C and 35°C. Thus, it can be an enjoyable getaway from the heat of cities like Chennai and Bengaluru, which are nearby. During this time, it would be quite fun to do outdoor sports like trekking, boating, and paragliding.Monsoon (July to September): During the monsoon, the place gets from moderate to heavy rains, which turn Yelagiri into a green heaven. Everything around gets beautiful with fresh trees, foggy hills, and of course, the Jalagamparai Waterfalls getting their full strength and flow.Winter (October to February): Winter is considered the most ideal time for visiting Yelagiri since the weather becomes quite nice and cool, with the temperatures at night going as low as 12°C. The days are very comfortable for touring the city, trekking, and visiting places like Punganoor Lake, Nature Park, and tribal villages.How to Reach YelagiriBy Road: Yelagiri is a great mountain retreat, and it is very easy to get there by road. Thus, the distances from cities like Bengaluru (160 km), Chennai (230 km), and Vellore (90 km) are not very long. You can take a drive up the hill road and watch the 14 hairpin bends from the top, which gives you the most stunning view of the valley and the forest. Both government and private buses can be used to get to Yelagiri from the neighbouring towns and villages, and they run there at regular intervals. But still, the majority of visitors drive their vehicles to the city because they say the style and comfort they get from it are unmatched.By Railway Station: Jolarpettai Junction is the nearest railway station to Yelagiri, about 21 km away. It is the main station on the Chennai–Bengaluru line. Most of the trains from all over Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other areas halt here. A car can be hired from Jolarpettai for Yelagiri, and the buses that take you to Yelagiri can be boarded as well, so you can reach there in less than an hour. As a matter of fact, rail connectivity can be reckoned as one of the most comfortable ways to reach the hill station.By Airport: The best way of accessing Yelagiri via air is from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, which is at a distance of 180 km and also from Chennai International Airport at 220 km. Both airports are quite capable of handling tourists from domestic as well as international flights. As a follow-up to the flight, you have other alternatives like a cab, bus, or train to Jolarpettai, and then you can move by road to Yelagiri.Why Book with escape2exploreWhen exploring the Yelagiri Tour and beyond, escape2explore stands out as a trusted name in adventure and experiential travel. Here’s why hundreds of travellers choose us for their getaways:Trusted, Well-Reviewed Local Operator: escape2explore has gained the trust of thousands of content tourists all over India. With persistent positive feedback and an unblemished reputation for delivering quality experiences, we assure you that your experience will be hassle-free, memorable, and value-packed. Our insider local knowledge guarantees that you will always be in safe hands.Seasoned Guides: Our trips are led by friendly, trained, and professional guides who are passionate about the outdoors and your safety. Whether it's a beach trek, a cultural tour, or a spiritual walk through temples, our team knows the terrain, the stories, and how to make each moment count.Safe & Curated Itineraries: Your safety is our number one priority. Our tour packages are thoughtfully crafted with safety measures, researched accommodations, and easy travel arrangements. We take care of the details so you can have the experience hassle-free and worry-free.Unique Experience That You Won't Find Anywhere Else: With escape2explore, you discover more than the tourist attractions. We go off the beaten track with hidden beaches, unusual treks, offbeat cultural destinations, and true interactions.